OAKLAND – For one of the few times over the past week, Kevin Durant seemed to be at peace.

Durant said he does not harbor the same anger he had after last week’s blowup with Draymond Green. He apologized directly to this reporter for snapping at a question about his relationship with Green after he unleashed a string of vulgarities and addressed his pending free agency next summer. He understands why the NBA was compelled to fine him $25,000 for “directing inappropriate language toward a fan” during Saturday’s game in Dallas.

“The NBA is just doing their job, trying to clean stuff up,” Durant said Wednesday. “So obviously I knew what was coming once I said it. I just got to take whatever the NBA gives and move on. “

It has been quite a time for Durant to report feeling much better. The Warriors have a four-game homestand. He reported feeling “rejuvenated” after Tuesday’s practice that involved working with Hall-of-Fame point guard and Warriors consultant Steve Nash. He plans to be with family and friends on Thanksgiving.

Meanwhile, the Warriors (12-6) host the Oklahoma City Thunder (10-6) on Wednesday at Oracle Arena, bringing yet another reminder of the criticism that has followed Durant ever since leaving the Thunder for the Warriors two years ago.

“I know how competitive they are,” Durant said of the Thunder. “That stuff doesn’t matter when the ball is tipped. Those guys I know over there will come over to play.”

Durant no longer fields questions about his tension with Russell Westbrook since leaving the Thunder. Instead, all eyes are on Durant’s relationship with Green.

Durant first told Yahoo! Sports that last week’s blowup would not impact his pending free agency when he plans to exercise his $31-million option next summer. He and Green have played together only once since the Nov. 12 incident; Green was suspended for one game and has missed the last two because of a toe injury, according to the Warriors. Durant maintains the incident will have no bearing on his play or on-court chemistry when Green returns.

“I really enjoy just playing with that kid-like joy I have when I walk on the court,” Durant said. “I really enjoy being out there. I try to remind myself of that any time I’m thinking about something that has nothing to do with basketball. It’s a great place for me to have that release.”

Before Wednesday, Durant channeled his frustration in a different way. And not always for the better.

Durant approached a taunting fan behind the baseline during Saturday’s game in Dallas. Durant then said, “watch the [bleeping] game and shut the [bleep] up.”

Wednesday he said, “I’m not saying what I said was right at all, but I just try to move on from it. Understanding what that’s about — the NBA is just trying to make everything clean, especially when you’re watching a game and trying to play a game. You’re trying to make that experience for both sides. So I understand it.”

Durant also has addressed criticisms that have surfaced over the past week.

FS1 radio personality Colin Cowherd said Durant “needs the Warriors more than he thinks,” citing the team’s “leadership, muscle and emotional stability.” Cowherd then called Duran “the most sensitive star ever.” Durant responded on Cowherd’s Instagram page, writing, “Media doing psychoanalysis….what a time.”

ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith also called out Durant for telling this reporter not to ask any Green-related questions. Durant responded with a handful of laughing emojis. Although Durant said he tries to “ignore as much as you can,” he often has not. He responded to Portland guard C.J. McCollum last summer after he questioned him on Twitter for joining the Warriors. Durant also inadvertently wrote on his own account about his criticisms regarding Thunder coach Billy Donovan.

“If at the moment, I feel like I need to say something, I will,” Durant said. “If I don’t feel like I need to say something, I’ll move on. I try to keep it as simple as that.”

One way to keep it simple: Durant pledges to focus on basketball. The Warriors have a three-game losing streak and have dropped five of their last seven. Durant has averaged 28 points per game on 39.6 percent shooting in the past five games. In related news, the Warriors have been without Stephen Curry (left groin) for the past six games and without Green for five of the last seven.

“We have to figure out how to play differently,” Durant said. “The coaching staff is doing a great job trying to figure that out. Us as players are doing our best.”

To be at his best, Durant reported feeling more at ease with tuning everything else out regarding his scuffle with Green. He did not apologize about his pending free agency. He pointed out that he has often said he would not discuss free agency during the season.

“I know your guys’ job and I know that’s a topic of discussion not just with me, but a lot of players and their contracts,” Durant said. “It’s the nature of the beast. I’m not saying I enjoy talking about it. I know it should be about playing the season out. That’s all I want to do. I get it. But at the same time, I’d rather just focus on playing basketball. I know a lot of people respect that, but I know there are some people that are going to ask.”

But as far as the attention that his argument with Green created? Durant sounded relatively more understandable about that reality than a week ago.

“It’s grown so much and so many people want to cover it. That’s the beauty of it. I’m not saying all the content is great. But it’s amazing the game has grown so much to have so many eyes on me,” Durant said. “I wish it was more about what we do on the court. But I understand this is also entertainment to people.”